15U First Team All Grassroots (Spring Edition)
Based on performance and recruiting stock rising, the following five players have distinguished themselves as First Team All Grassroots for the spring.
PG – Seth Wilson (2021), 6’0”, NEO Tru Game / St. Vincent-St. Mary
G – Kobe Johnson (2021), 6’2”, All Ohio Red / Canton McKinley
W – Garner Wallace (2021), 6’4”, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite / Pickerington Central
W/F – Malaki Branham (2021), 6’5”, NEO Tru Game / St. Vincent-St. Mary
F – Jack Sawyer (2021), 6’5”, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite / Pickerington North
– Wilson’s confidence as Tru Game’s point guard sets a tone for the no. 1 team in Ohio. He’s constantly hunting opportunities to shoot it from deep off the dribble. The stout point guard has long arms, a body that he uses to his advantage on the drive. He also delivered the most pivotal shot of the game in their win over Mid Ohio Pumas Elite in the Super 16 championship. Although Wilson hasn’t been offered scholarships this spring, he’s grabbed the attention of a couple Big 10 programs.
– Johnson continually shines amongst his talented teammates with his combination of skill and size as a combo guard. He’s a solid shooter and even better slasher. Johnson slices into the lane and makes plays for others, while also having the ability to finish from tough angles with his right hand. On May 30, UT-Martin became the first of school to offer Johnson, but they will surely not be the last.
– Wallace has racked up an obscene amount of points in the paint because of his relentless speed and slippery downhill handle. He leaks out in transition by sprinting the floor or can go coast-to-coast with a defensive rebound. His mid-range jumper is solid, but he hardly ever has to settle for anything less than a layup. The track star also is the best perimeter defender we’ve evaluated in the 2021 class. He has the height, lateral quickness, and IQ to lock-up positions one through four.
– As far as upside, Branham’s potential is through the roof. The 6’5” combo forward has top-notch athleticism and finishing ability. Coming up through the STVM program will ensure development and IQ also. He’s already a very good defensive player near the basket, as he rebounds and contests shots with athleticism. Branham handles the ball in the open court, but is yet to develop the ability to attack from the perimeter in the halfcourt. Instead, Branham finds his points as a cutter, offensive rebounder, and transition finisher.
– Sawyer, a power five football prospect from Pick North, is going to score well over 1,000 points in his high school basketball career. He makes tough shot after tough shot from the mid-range. His turn-around jumper gives him an unblockable go-to move. Sawyer also shows leadership with a larger than life presence on the hardwood. His physicality sets a tone and is borderline unfair against his age group.